| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Tuesday, December 18, 2001
9:00am ET | |
| • | Gene Orza Completes Testimony As MLB Grievance Hearings Continue |
| • | Philip Anschutz' Meridian Delta Possible Purchaser Of Millennium Dome |
| • | MN Stadium Task Force To Hear Vikings' Pitch Today |
| • | Philadelphia Region Eyes Potential NASCAR Track |
| • | No Longer Winless, The Lions Target Talk Show Host Jay Leno |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
ORZA TESTIFIES, WEINER NEXT AT MLB GRIEVANCE HEARINGS
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reports that MLB attorneys "finished cross-examination" of MLBPA General Counsel Gene Orza as hearings on the "union grievance to block contraction resumed yesterday" in N.Y. The MLBPA's Assistant General Counsel Michael Weiner "will testify today, but baseball's players and owners have not scheduled any further negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/18).
USA TODAY reports that MLB's appeal and growth "depend on its ability to improve the game's competitive balance, according to a fan survey to be presented to clubs today." The survey, conducted December 8-10 by Penn, Schoen & Berland, "showed 77% support for revenue sharing and 84% for a salary cap, initiatives Commissioner Bud Selig considers important to improving the game's balance." However, 42% said they "would be less interested in baseball without parity" (USA TODAY, 12/18).
ANSCHUTZ TO EXPAND HIS ARENA HOLDINGS ACROSS THE POND
BBC News reports that the British Government will announce today that "a buyer has finally been found for the Millennium Dome." It is "thought that Meridian Delta will turn the Greenwich landmark into a sports and entertainment arena, with housing and offices on surrounding land." Meridian Delta is backed by U.S. business exec and Lakers/NHL Kings co-Owner and MLS Investor/Operator Philip Anschutz (BBC.com, 12/18).
VIKINGS TO MAKE STADIUM PRESENTATION AT THE STATE HOUSE
The ST. PAUL PIONEER-PRESS reports the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission "will make a presentation" to the MN Stadium Task Force today. Also at the meeting, "representatives of the Vikings' architect group will get a chance to explain why they believe Metrodome renovation plans are not feasible" (ST. PAUL PIONEER-PRESS, 12/18).
WILL NEXT NASCAR TRACK BE IN GREATER PHILLY/NJ AREA?
The PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER reports that "plans for a $50 million world-class motor-sports complex are scheduled to be revealed today by Cumberland County, which for years has been trying to bring NASCAR racing to the region." Principals from New Jersey Motorsports Inc. "will present their plans for a speedway and display a conceptual model of a 'multifaceted' project" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/18).
LENO ENTERS THE LIONS' DEN TO ANSWER FOR A SEASON OF JOKES
The DETROIT FREE PRESS reports that the Lions "have been the butt of jokes on 'The Tonight Show' for weeks," prompting WR Johnnie Morton to shout, "Jay Leno can kiss my [butt]" following the team's win over the Vikings on Sunday. Now Leno will give Morton "a chance for a rebuttal tonight" when he has him on the show, via satellite, as a guest. The win, however, did not prevent Leno from making jokes at the Lions' expense in his monologue last night, stating, "It's a week before Christmas. … This is truly the season of miracles. But enough about the Detroit Lions" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/18). For more from Leno's show, see today's Laugh Track below.
Sports Illustrated's Peter King spent time with former Jets coach Bill Parcells on Sunday, and Parcells asked him, "You ever talk to [Lions President Matt] Millen? If you do, tell him he's a little too visible" (CNN/SI, 12/18).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The Newark STAR-LEDGER reports that members of the NFL Giants organization "will attend a memorial service for former general manager George Young in Manhattan this morning" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/18).
A CINCINNATI POST editorial notes that the NFL is considering holding the '07 Super Bowl in N.Y. or Washington, DC, to honor the heroes of September 11 and states, "Awarding the Super Bowl as a gesture of consolation and conciliation shows how the symbolism and significance of this sporting event has grown out of all proportion to the actual game." The newspaper proposes to "hold the Super Bowl festivities and ridiculously overdone half-time show in one city for the partygoers, and play the actual game in the other city for the actual fans" (CINCINNATI POST, 12/18).
The TORONTO STAR reports that Raptors G Vince Carter "has no intention of returning to the NBA's dunk contest" during All-Star weekend. Carter: "I'm not planning on it because of injuries to my knee and calf (that) won't let me be as effective as I want to be" (TORONTO STAR, 12/18).
The WASHINGTON POST reports that boxer Muhammad Ali was "the main attraction" at a benefit premiere of the film "Ali" last night in Northwest Washington. Politicians and media moguls "pressed in to pay their respects to Ali." David Falk, Michael Jordan's agent, approached Ali, reminding him, "We met at the commercial" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/18). For more on "Ali," see today's Laugh Track.
The WASHINGTON POST reports that Tanya Snyder, wife of Redskins Owner Dan Snyder, will host a special screening of Sean Penn's latest "I Am Sam" tomorrow for the "women of the Redskins – including players' and coaches' wives, cheerleaders and front-office employees" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/18).
TODAY'S EVENTS
The K.C. STAR reports that today "is the day the anonymous donor of $25 million to Missouri's new arena project, believed to be Bill and Nancy Laurie, will be unveiled at a midmorning ceremony" at the Reynolds Alumni Center, beginning at 10:00am CT (K.C. STAR, 12/18).
One hundred at-risk youth who are members of the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County will go on a shopping spree at The Sports Authority, thanks to the efforts of Dolphins CB Sam Madison and his charity fund, "Madison Avenue for Kids" (THE DAILY).
Vikings LB Kailee Wong leads a group of teammates visiting kids at Fairview-University Children's Hospital in Minneapolis from 10:30-11:30am CT (THE DAILY).
Bills TE Jay Riemersma will be at the BlueCross BlueShield in Buffalo to sign autographs and help promote the "Bills and their Pets" calendar, which benefits the SPCA, at noon ET. At 2:30pm ET, QB Alex Van Pelt will visit Children's Hospital of Buffalo to deliver a pair of Power Wheels to two young patients (THE DAILY).
The Red Wings will bring holiday cheer to the patients of Children's Hospital of MI today, arriving after practice at approximately 3:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
Penguins C Mario Lemieux will join ice skater Brian Boitano in the grand opening of The Rink at PPG Place, an outdoor skating facility in Pittsburgh. Opening ceremonies begin at 11:00am ET (THE DAILY).
Wizards players and front office staff will deliver holiday gifts to six less fortunate families from 2:00-4:30pm ET (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS…..
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS reports that basic-cable viewership "is on the verge of another record-setting year" according to Nielsen Media Research. Over 200 basic cable networks "averaged 40.56 million viewers this year, up 12% from last year's draw of 36.33 million." Meanwhile, network TV viewership "was down 8% from a year ago" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/18).
The American Institute of Philanthropy President Daniel Borochoff states that $1.4B has been given to relief funds for the 9-11 terrorist attacks. USA TODAY reports "at least $200 million of that has been raised by celebrities in the past three months – about as much as the March of Dimes raised all of last year" (USA TODAY, 12/18).
The N.Y. Film Critics Online has named David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive" as the year's best picture (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 12/18).
Liquid Agency Inc. has released its "Bruised and Battered Brands" survey, which reveals Microsoft, IBM and Dell Computer as "the three leading technology companies that have maintained brand value in 2001." Meanwhile, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq and Cisco Systems "were identified as the three technology companies that have done the worst job of maintaining brand value" (BtoB.com, 12/17).
LAUGH TRACK
NBC's Jay Leno, on the Lions beating the Vikings: "The nice thing was they won before the home fans. In fact, there were over 28 people in the stands." Leno added, "It was nice to see Lions fans hold up their index finger." Leno also talked about Lions WR Johnnie Morton and said he called him, wanting Morton to come on the show. NBC's Kevin Eubanks: "You're starting to kiss his ass" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 12/17).
Will Smith appeared on NBC's "Tonight Show" last night discussing "Ali." Smith, on his boxing sequences for the film: "It's really weird when you get hit, the things that go through your mind. You start thinking about Caesar salads ... and I wanted to know where my car keys were, because as soon as I could see again, I was leaving" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 12/17).
FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Awards."
"In 2001, the Pritzker Prize, architecture's most prestigious, was presented at this historic home in the U.S."
MONDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
FSN's 10:30pm ET "National Sports Report" led with Sunday's unrest at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
ESPN's 12:00am ET "SportsCenter" led with Celtics-76ers.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"What is Monticello?"
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